Friday, August 15, 2014

Same Song, Second Verse...a little bit smoother than the first!

Cougar Staff:
As we wrap up the first full week of school, I have just a few notes to share.  I feel like we have gotten off to a great start this year.  After the first week of establishing procedures and expectations, we have gotten down to business more this week, and things are progressing well.  I was able to visit several classrooms this week, and I was pleased to see high levels of student and teacher engagement.  I look forward to visiting more classrooms next week.  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Personnel:
Please keep the Marshall family in your thoughts and prayers.  Ann’s brother-in-law, John Marshall, and his fiancé, Dayna Knight, died after a motorcycle accident on Wednesday night.  Mrs. Holley told me that Dayna worked as an assistant at GCMS several years ago before I was principal. 
I know that several GCMS staff members have been under the weather recently.  I hope that everyone is feeling better soon.

Faculty Meeting Monday:
We have a faculty meeting scheduled for after school on Monday.  I do not expect a long meeting.  We will spend some time on PGES items, share a tech tool, and have a few housekeeping items.  I believe we will be finished by 4:00.

Principal’s Advisory Council:
I need for team leaders to send me the name of your student representative for this year’s Principal’s Advisory Council.  Each team should select a student who is a good citizen, hard worker, and good all-around student.  It is also very helpful if the representative is outgoing and willing to speak up and share ideas for helping our school improve for the students. 

Self-Reflections and Professional Growth Plans:
Many of you have successfully entered your PGES self-reflections into CIITS, and about a third of you have also entered your PGP.  Please remember that your PGP should include at least one goal based upon your self-reflection and at least one goal based upon our GCMS school improvement plan or the district improvement plan.  Both goals should match a PGES component. This should be entered into CIITS by August 30.  As I mentioned earlier, teachers should include the following for each goal:
•             What you want to change about INSTRUCTION that will effectively impact student learning.
•             What is the personal learning you will complete in order to make the change?
•             What will the measures of success be (student growth impact)?

It will be wise to print both your self-reflection and your PGP after entering it into CIITS.  Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Miller, or I will review your PGP and either approve it or suggest revisions.  You will receive an automated email reply to that effect.  Be sure to have two goals and address those three areas for each.  Remember, we will be revisiting your PGP throughout the year, so it is important to “make it real” and use it to impact your professional practice and student learning.

Suicide Prevention Training:
Please complete module 1 of the Jason Foundation training and submit your certificate to Mrs. House before the end of August.  Feel free to work on this during planning time.  This training is found at www.Jasonfoundation.com.  Let us know if you need assistance.

Quote of the Day:
“People often tell me that motivation doesn’t last, and I tell them that bathing doesn’t either. That’s why I recommend it daily.” ~Zig Ziglar

Coming Attractions:
Aug. 18…Faculty Meeting, after school
Aug. 18…Parent Meeting for Teams 1-4, 6:00
Aug. 19…GCMS Football hosts Glasgow, 5:30
Aug. 19…Cougar Zone begin  Tuesday (after that CZ will run Mon-Thurs until 5:00)
Aug. 20…GCMS SBDMC meeting, 3:15
Aug. 22…School Picture Day at GCMS
Aug. 29…PLC Day (no students that day)



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